Ramblings of an Emergency Physician in Texas

Archives for July 5, 2012

Wow. I’d bet our culture would have a hard time admitting that culture is an impediment, as we have a pretty wide ‘criticize everyone’ outlook; this must be shocking inside the Japanese culture:

The report’s authors — led by Kiyoshi Kurokawa, a former president of the Science Council of Japan — attributed the failings at the plant before and after March 11 specifically to Japanese culture.
“What must be admitted — very painfully — is that this was a disaster ‘Made in Japan,’ ” the report said. “Its fundamental causes are to be found in the ingrained conventions of Japanese culture: our reflexive obedience; our reluctance to question authority; our devotion to ‘sticking with the program.’ ”